Effort: Moderate to Challenging

Activities: Galapagos Volunteer Work, Horseback Riding, Snorkeling, Hiking

Lodging: Tourist Class Galapagos Hotels

Group Departure ONLY: This Galapagos Volunteer tour is available only for groups of minimum 10 passengers.

If your calling is conservation, it is difficult to imagine a more beautiful and fascinating place to volunteer than the Galapagos Islands. Your work will help to ensure that the world’s most unique archipelago remains unspoiled for generations to come. Your Galapagos volunteer experience will include everything from clearing invasive flora species with a machete, to leading disadvantaged kids through nature activities.

While the Galapagos volunteer program varies day-to-day, all the activities are necessary facets on the path to accomplishing the same shared vision. This program provides incredible opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the Galapagos through snorkeling, hiking, giant tortoise encounters, and even beach lounging!

Galapagos Volunteer work at Hacienda Tranquila, the only charitable organization in the Galapagos that addresses environmental, social, and community issues. Hacienda Tranquila strives to tackle problems with solutions that incorporate both human and environmental welfare. They believe this innovative approach is the only true way to forge a sustainable future for the Galapagos.

DAY 1:  Transfer in Quito and Optional City Tour

Private transfer in Quito from airport to Hotel. Depending on the time of your flight arrival, you may have a chance to tour this beautiful colonial city.

DAY 2: Fly to the Galapagos / Interpretation center

A morning flight takes us to San Cristobal Island. After a short briefing by our Galapagos volunteer project manager, we will visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the fascinating natural, geologic, scientific, cultural and social history of the Islands. In the late afternoon, we will head to Hacienda Tranquila, the highlands location of our Galapagos volunteer project. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – 5: Galapagos Volunteer wort – Reforestation, fixing the local School and more

The centerpiece Galapagos volunteer project is clearing invasive plants and reforesting the land with native and endemic species. Hacienda Tranquila will eventually reintroduce Galapagos tortoises onto the newly restored land and bequest their 50 hectare property of former farmland over to National Park. However, invasive species are not only a concern for wildlife, they are overtaking crop fields of the nearby community of farmers and threatening to destroy livelihoods. Therefore, Hacienda Tranquila also helps farmers remove invasives from their farms in exchange for the promise to nurture a garden of native and endemic plants on the farmers’ land. All the farmers are pleased with Hacienda Tranquila and their continuous work, that they give their volunteers fruits,  vegetables and often cook them lunch.

Among other Galapagos Volunteer projects, you may teach English classes at the local school, build a garden of endemic plants, do reconstructive and maintenance work at the school, and have plans to provide the school with solar energy. During your Galapagos volunteer work here, you will likely assist with all these projects and more… (B, L, D)

Day 6: Galapagos Volunteer work – Helping Disadvantaged Kids – Hike & Beach

Today, disadvantaged and special needs children come to Hacienda Tranquila to learn, have fun and enjoy nature. You may lead the kids through hikes, horseback rides, and/or environmentally-themed games. You may even be able to assist in providing physical and behavioral therapy to special needs children using horses!

Today, we finish our Galapagos volunteer work by early afternoon and have time to enjoy the rest of the day by the coast. We head on a short hike up to Cerro de Las Tijeretas. Along the walk, you´ll learn about the endemic vegetation as well as the wildlife you are bound to see. Tijeretas is the point where Darwin first landed in the Galapagos. This cove offers some of the islands best snorkeling, surrounded by fish of every color, sea lions and the occasional sea turtle.  As we go back, we stop at Punta Carola, to lay down next to sea lions and marine iguanas on its long sandy beach, swim, boogie board, surf (rentals not included) and snorkel. We will spend the night in our waterfront hotel, where you´ll have an opportunity to sample the nightlife. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: SNORKELING ADVENTURE / HIKE EL JUNCO / GIANT TORTOISES / BEACH

We head out on an incredible snorkeling adventure today! Our first stop is Isla Lobos, where you´ll experience one of the most amazing sea lion encounters in the Galapagos. This is one of the best sites to snorkel with marine iguanas, and the variety and colors of the fish species will dazzle you. We head to Leon Dormido, two breathtaking rock massifs (tuff cones) jutting out from the sea. Above sea level, its rock walls are home to thousands of sea birds, and below, to millions of fish. Snorkelers will see Galapagos sharks, spotted eagle rays and golden rays, as well as multitudes of reef fish, starfish, clams, and marine invertebrates. There is also a good opportunity to see hammerhead sharks.

In the afternoon, we embark on a short hike to an extinct volcano crater filled with the Galapagos´ only permanent freshwater lake. The hike up provides magnificent views and an introduction to the Galapagos´ native plant species. The lake itself is home to frigate birds, common gallinules, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, among others. We will hopefully witness frigate birds washing the salt from their feathers in the lakes’ calm waters. We head to the Galapaguera, a semi-natural habitat and breeding center for giant Galapagos tortoises. We leave this mist-shrouded environment and head a few miles to a sunny wonderful beach. After a morning under the sea and an afternoon on a volcano and beach, spend a leisurely evening enjoying your last night on San Cristobal. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Fly to Mainland
We will have some time to swim, snorkel, or walk around town before our flight back to Quito. (B)

DAY 9: TRANSFER OUT

Today, we transfer to the airport to catch our international flight back home. (B)

Included: Lodging accommodations; all meals as described (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); adventure and safety equipment; guide on adventure activities; all land transportation.

Not included: Flights to and from Galapagos; entrance fee to Galapagos National Park; Ingala Transit Card, diving; tips; hotel & restaurant beverages.

**PLEASE NOTE** This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last-minute weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.

KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION

BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2 inter-island boat crossings of 2 – 3 hours each.

BIKING, HIKING OR PADDLING ACTIVITY DURATION: 2 – 6 hours daily.

SEASON: Year-round.

ALTITUDE: 0 – 3,700 feet (1,124 m) above sea level.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES: December – May: 80 – 90ºF (25 – 30ºC); June – September: 60 – 70ºF (15 – 20ºC); October – November: 70 – 80ºF (15º -25ºC)

WATER TEMPERATURE: Due to the convergence of several ocean currents, Galapagos’ seas are a unique mix of cold and warm water. Temperatures range from 65ºF to 85ºF.

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING: hiking shoes, hiking wear (non-cotton), water sandals, water bottle, rain jacket, sunscreen, hat, flashlight, and insect repellent.

• Plant and nurture native and endemic flora species.
• Learn to use a machete to eradicate invasive plants.
• Lead disadvantaged kids through hikes, horseback rides and games to teach them about nature and the environment.
• Snorkel with sea turtles, sharks, rays, sea lions and marine iguanas.
• Walk in Darwin’s footsteps amongst lava lizards, blue-footed boobies, mockingbirds, finches and other species that continue to fascinate evolutionary biologists.
• See and learn about giant Galapagos tortoises.
• Watch frigate birds bathe in Galapagos’ only permanent freshwater lake.
• Relax on a white sand beach next to sea lions and marine iguanas.
• Your Galapagos Volunteer work will help make this a better place for the people, plants and animals that call it home.